WHEN John McNaught suffered a massive stroke which left him paralysed and unable to talk, he never imagined that taking up painting would transform his life.

John’s condition was so severe doctors feared he would not survive and his family were told to prepare to say their goodbyes.

After three days in a coma, John, then 42, regained consciousness but was unable to move the right side of his body.

He spent four months undergoing extensive physiotherapy but it was a love of art that helped him cope during his darkest hours in hospital.

And his family have been stunned by the talent he has discovered since the stroke in 2006.

Wife Patricia said: “We had no idea just how talented he was.

“His paintings are terrific and my house is like an art gallery now. All of the hospital staff were amazed by his recovery and skills. His passion for art has played a huge part in his journey today.

“Painting takes his mind off what he’s gone through and gives him something else to focus on.

“It’s also helped to make the left hand side of his body stronger. If it wasn’t for the art classes, I think John would have struggled more.

“The stroke damaged his brain, leaving him unable to read or write and he has problems with his speech.

“He can walk for a short distance but only with the aid of a splint. He relies on an electric wheelchair to get around and it’s been a real struggle to get to this point.”

The healing power of art has also been a help to Glasgow-born broadcaster Andrew Marr, who said recently his love of painting and sketching helped his recovery after he suffered a stroke.

The 56-year-old former BBC political editor had to learn to walk again after the stroke in January 2013.

He said: “Painting has helped me through the downs and produced more of the ups than there would otherwise have been, which to me is a very important part of life.

“I certainly find that if I’m feeling down or gloomy or harried, if I paint for a few hours I feel better. I find it very difficult but the nature of the difficulty is in itself a kind of therapy.”

John, from Drumoyne, Glasgow, was encouraged to take up an art course while recovering in the city’s Southern General Hospital.

Patricia, 47, said: “We thought we were going to lose John and when he woke up from a coma we knew he would have major difficulties.

“His stroke caused so much damage to his brain and body. He wasn’t able to talk, walk or even feed himself.

“He had to learn to do everything from scratch and it was very hard for him to adapt.

“He went from being fit and active to relying on others and that was hard for him to accept.

“After his physio, he would go back to his hospital bed with nothing to keep his mind occupied.

John McNaught with his son Jack (Image: Garry F McHarg/Daily Record)

“Soon he was struggling with depression because he couldn’t do the things he wanted. One of the nurses recommended an art course in the hospital and I told John he was going along.

“After a bit of nagging, he joined but it was a struggle because he had to learn to draw using his left hand.”

A few months later Patricia, daughter Deborah, 28, and son Jack, 15, were struck by the quality of John’s artwork when they saw it for the first time. And it wasn’t long before family and friends were requesting paintings.

Cook Patricia admits John initially struggled to come to terms with the devastating effects of his stroke, which came without warning or any symptoms. She added: “We had no idea just how bad it was until the doctors said he might not pull through.

“John was a hard worker and always on the go. When he took ill, it hit all of the family hard. One day he was fit and active and the next he was fighting for his life.

“I think the worst part for John is not being able to run around after our kids. He was always a very hands-on dad and it was tough for the kids too.

“When he finally got home from hospital he had to adapt to a new life and take things slower. The stroke took everything away from John but now we are so proud of how far he has come.”

John McNaught's work (Image: Garry F McHarg/Daily Record)

John attends Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland Community Stroke Services in Pollok, Glasgow, and Project Ability art classes. Thanks to them, he has slowly come to terms with his condition and his paintings are attracting a lot of attention.Patricia added: “John’s very determined and spends hours and hours drawing. It helps him relax and we are very fortunate to have him with us.

“He’s been through so much and he’s very positive. It’s important people know just how dangerous strokes are and if they have any warning signs seek medical help straight away.”

Elaine Fisher, who runs Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland Community Stroke Services in Pollok, said: “We support people who have had a stroke, helping them with communication difficulties and with lack of confidence and the isolation and frustration they face following their stroke.”

For information, visit www.chss.org.uk or call the freephone advice line 0808 801 0899.

Question -1 of 5Score -0 of 0

Scotland's Watershed is the drainage divide that separates the river systems that flow east into the North Sea from those that flow to the west into the Atlantic Ocean. How long is it?